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“Did you get the berries?” asked Rayla.
Many people thought Rayla was a witch. After all, she lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods and grew herbs. And she looked like a witch - her long black hair was streaked with white, and she wore a black dress. But Rayla was really more of a recluse than a witch. Even though she did live with somebody - a young runaway named Aerin Magneta.
“Yes,” Aerin replied, handing Rayla the basket of ripe berries.
Aerin had run away last year, when she was sixteen. She left because she was no longer accepted by her own mother, let alone by anyone else. She had powers, the power to manipulate metal and create strong magnetic fields without lifting a finger. She was a mutant, hated and feared by society.
That night, Aerin went into her little room in Rayla’s cabin. Rayla had gone to sleep early, just like she always did. Aerin turned on the antique lamp by her bed. It cast a soft, yellow glow around the room. Aerin sat on the rug, wrapped in a thick, silver blanket. She picked up the picture she had looked at a million times before. The picture was of her father. Her mother had told her that he died, but somehow Aerin couldn’t bring herself to believe that. She knew it wasn’t true.
She looked at the picture. Her father was a handsome man, but he didn’t look anything like Aerin. He had curly, blond hair and a friendly smile. Her mother had met him in Germany, where he was from - supposedly. Aerin wasn’t sure if she could trust her.
She looked at the picture again. He doesn’t look anything like me, Aerin thought. I wonder what color his eyes are? The picture was too far away to tell. Aerin had silver hair and silver eyes and was very pretty. She sighed and picked up her other prized possession - her ruby quartz necklace. Ruby quartz was her favorite stone, and the necklace was beautiful. The chain was silver, and the stone shone brightly. She’d had the necklace for as long as she could remember, but she couldn’t remember who gave it to her. Maybe it was Daddy, she thought.
Then she flicked off the light and went to sleep.
The next morning, Aerin found a note from Rayla. “Dear Aerin,” it read, “I’ve gone out. I’ll be back around late afternoon.”
Aerin sighed. “Another lonely day,” she said.
“Oh, is that so?” said a voice.
Aerin turned around. Standing there was a beautiful woman with long, blue pigtails. “I am Keyla,” she said, “and you are Aerin.”
“How did you know that?” asked Aerin.
Keyla shrugged. “I have my ways.” Then she continued. “You could come with me... and get revenge on all who have shunned you.”
“You’re telling the truth?” Aerin asked.
Keyla smiled. “Of course,” she said delicately.
“Get away from that girl!” cried a voice.
Keyla turned her head quickly.
“I am Sailor Yavin!” cried the Senshi who stood there. Her long hair was orange with red tips. She was beautiful and strong-looking.
Keyla sneered. “I think we should let her choose for herself,” she said.
“Who do you want to go with?” asked Sailor Yavin. “You could come with us and be Sailor Firrerre.”
“Or,” said Keyla, “you could be Sailor Sith Firrerre and be accepted.”
Aerin’s heart leapt. “I-I could be accepted?” she asked.
Keyla nodded.
“You will be accepted with us,” Sailor Yavin said.
“No you won’t,” Keyla told her. “It’ll always be the same thing. I know. With us you could have absolute power!”
Aerin felt strange, as if she were in a trance.
“Well,” Sailor Yavin said, “where would you like to go?”
Aerin looked at Keyla. “With her,” she said.
Keyla cackled happily. Sailor Yavin shook her head sadly and disappeared.
“You’re not the only one with gifts,” said Keyla, taking Aerin’s hand and leading her to the Dark Side...
